Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-28

then. have written, but perhap' NV letters
have been lost. Where is she. | am long ng
To see her"
you had better follow me. them" said Mrs.
Evans; 1--WE have visitor here, as you see 4"
She spoke GROSSLY, aud he looked at her with
some surprise She made very elaborate
apology and led the way to another room.
''Of all things IN the world " cried Miss De
Courcy Evans, 'ths is the strangest Mamma
has been scolling Marion all the morning,
and her eyes are swollen with tears"
81 hope TO goodness added her amiable
sister, 'Hhst we shSii not have to keep the
father as well as the child 1t looks like it,"
Mamma has more sense" rejoined her sis
ter
particular of the Interview that followed be-
tween the father and his child
Mrs. De Courcy Evans led the way into the
dining room.
ave did not part In very friendly man
ner." SAID Mr.. Branscombc. ''ihere was as
time when believed you were unLnd h my
wife; but you have been good TO her child.
Let the past be forgotten; tell mo how must
repay you for your care OF my motherless
chdn
Before Mrs. Evans had time to reply, Marion
rushed into the room
"Oh. papa" she cried; and the pain In her
voice thrilled him. She flung herself into his
arms
1t was some minutes before he noticed the
tear-stained face.
"My darling" he cried, "what is the mat
teri Have you been uahappyi"
at is nothing" she rep led. "But, oh,
papa, do tell me-was nv mother so bad that
! am To shun and dread being Ike her"
WHO has been saying thar to you, Marion"
he asked stcrnly Your mother was au
angel, and thank Heaven YOU are like her in
the face Who has dared to speak evil Of
your mother to your
al haye,n said Mrs. Evans. Il had to re-
prove her this very morning for being deceit
full, aud told her feared that she would be
as bad as her mother"
"You said thatv' cried Mr. Branscombe,
his voice thick with rage Then you are
cruel, shameless woman to speak falsely of
dead mother to her ca Ia! Nv poor Marion,
you have had but SAD life, fear"
She made no answer, but chung to him and
kissed his face. Mrs. Evans took up her own
defense. She expressed her opinion rather
freely of Mr. Bransconbe, OF the poor wife
who was hot there To defend herself and OF
Marion, whose youthful dcuqu 'ncies were
all remembered against her The matter
ended in Mr. Branacombe sending for a cab
and declaring that neither him nor his child
would remain another hour under her roof.
I'll will arrange" he said to her at parting,
''au interview with your husband. Mrs Evans,
and will amply defray the expenses incurred
during my child's residence with you"
That evening Mr.. Evans returned home
very excited.
This is good news, my dear, Is 1t noti'
was lis greeting to his wife.
MAY l ask to what you alluded" she re-
Piled
"Why, have you not seen Branscombel He
came to my office this morning, aud sent
him here"
Il must beg" said his wife, "that you will
not mention that name to me agail."
Have you quarrellei with hing he asked,
in anuzement
Il never quarrel, Mr. Evans That man
has insuitcd me, and VIII not have us name
mentioned in ny house again"
"a is pity" said her husband, summon
Ing remnant of MS fast cboiug courage. Il
am sorr' for IL, for he has come hone to take
}
estates ia England"
"What" cried all three ladies at once
1t is true. | assure you," repe the poor
man. cod Colonel Bran,clm0e, who never
Acknowledged MS son while living. is dead,
aud has lcft him Bran,cOmbe Park, with a
clear ucouc of over SIX thou and per annum.
He ASKED me if you could all 20 there this
summer
There was pause Of some minutes The
hdcs were too mprtiird to speak. But Mrs
DE CJurcy Evans rose to the occasion.
'Never was woman Tried as am with the
utter imb-ciity OF those around me-" she
said. No one is 20 blame but you, Mr.
Evans; why dl yoI not send a messenger TO
prepare mes OF course should have received
Marion's father quite differently If 1 hal
known"
the poor husband listened in patient sub
m sson; he made no attempt at resistance or
argument.
On the morning following I was not much
surprised az receiving a note from Maron's
father, asking permission to call on us that
same day. Marion did not accompany him.
We were charmed with him he was not only
a gentleman, but scholar and a man Of IN
tellect. He seemed 10 have been everyw here
and to have seen everything. Marion had
told him OF what she was pleased To call my
great kindness and he wished to thank me
for IT,
''She told me Also" he continued turning
almost unsuspectingiy 10 Gera d, THAT you
had something to ask me-some little favor
that lies 10 my power to grant; you have bat
TO name IL, Mr.. Fitzgerald +"
ut is very cas- done, sir" replied Gerald
with heightened color. II love your daugh
ter, and beg your permission to make her my
wife"
shall never forget Mr.. Branscombe's look
OF amazement nor his delight at his daugh-
ter's ingenuity. He had long In terview with
Gerald, the result OF which was he gave his
free consent to the marriage; but It was to be
DELAYED for two years, while he took his
daughter to Paris and placed her under the
best masters.
''She has been cruelty neglected" he said
TO Gerald. III she had not been fonl of
reading, she would have been perfectly ~
norant."
He told Gerald the history OF his wander
ings. lie sail lie had never been uneasy